Motorcycle riding is a way a life. The sun on your body, the wind in your hair and the freedom of the open road is a fun way of getting around town. However, with almost everything fun, there are risks involved — especially for those motorcyclists who don’t wear helmets.

With Wisconsin’s partial helmet law, motorcyclists are at an increased risk for head injuries, spinal cord injuries and death in the event of a Wisconsin motorcycle crash. According to new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states that have partial helmet laws or no helmet laws have a higher percentage of riders not wearing helmets in fatal motorcycle crashes.

The CDC reminds riders again that—as earlier studies have shown—motorcycle helmets dramatically cut the risk of death or serious injuries. The CDC confirms that fewer motorcyclists die in states with mandatory helmet laws and costs to society are reduced as well. The new study also revealed the following:

  • $3 billion in economic costs were saved due to motorcycle helmet use in this nation.
  • $1.4 billion could have been saved if all riders wore helmets.
  • States with mandatory helmet laws save $525 more per registered bike than those states with fewer restrictions.
  • Only 3% of registered vehicles on the road are motorcycles, but motorcyclists account for 14 percent of fatal traffic accidents.


Because of Wisconsin’s partial motorcycle helmet laws, it is no surprise to learn that last year, 92% of motorcyclists killed in Wisconsin motorcycle accidents were not wearing helmets. Although it is safer to choose to wear a helmet, every rider over age 18 has the freedom in this state to wear one or not. 

No matter if you wore and helmet or not, if you were injured in an Appleton motorcycle crash due another driver’s carelessness or recklessness, you may have rights to seek a financial recovery. At Hupy and Abraham, our Wisconsin personal injury lawyers have secured settlements for injured riders who have and have not worn helmets. If another driver ran a red light, cut you off, pulled out in front of you, rear-ended your bike, or drove drunk or distracted that led to you crash, we can fight for your rights. 

Call our Appleton law office for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation today, toll-free at (800) 800-5678 , and request your free copy of our book, The Ultimate Guide for Motorcycle Accident Victims.